Michigan State UniversityMichigan State UniversityCloseMenu buttonMenu and Search buttonOpenCloseNewsVideoEventsresourcesnewsletterExpertsProgramsYouTubeFacebookTwitterGoogle PlusAsk an ExpertSee how spartans make a difference in Michigan. MI Spartan Impact

Because of the potential of spreading forest pests, MSU Extension forestry educators recommend not transporting firewood from home to campsites around the state.

Summer is a popular time for many Michiganders
to vacation around the state and enjoy the abundant forests, lakes and other
natural resources that exist in Michigan. During those trips “up north,” people
may also choose to camp out at public and private campgrounds across the state.
For many vacationers, one of the pleasures of camping is enjoying a campfire at
night.

While it may be tempting to haul your own
camp firewood to the northern Lower and Upper Peninsulas of Michigan along with
all your other camping equipment, Michigan
State University Extension
recommends that you leave that firewood at home instead. Because of the
extensive spread of certain forest pests such as Emerald
Ash Borer, Beech
Bark Disease and others at present in
Michigan, campers may unexpectedly transport these pest problems to new
locations along with the firewood they carry along.

The experience here in Michigan seems to
confirm that fact as both Emerald Ash Borer and Beech Bark Disease likely
arrived in many portions of the northern lower and upper peninsulas of Michigan
via firewood transmission.

However, Michigan’s forests are at risk from
a growing number of other insect and disease problems being found across the
country (e.g. Asian
Long Horned Beetle; Hemlock
Woolly Adelgid and others). Therefore, it just
makes sense to leave that firewood at home and purchase any firewood you may
need while camping from local sources near the campground. The inexpensive
purchase of firewood locally while camping may help prevent another large scale
– and expensive – disaster such as Emerald Ash Borer from reoccurring here in
Michigan.

More information on the types of pests that
can be transported on firewood and other related topics can be found on the Don’t Move Firewood
website.

Related Resources

David Smitley, Michigan State University Department of Entomology, and Deborah G. McCullough, Michigan State University Departments of Entomology and Forestry | Guidelines for homeowners with hemlock trees infested with hemlock woolly adelgid.